Avoid The Lead! [[COMPLETED]]

43. The Banquet

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A month went by, and Taze's birthday approached.

Before now, his birthday had always been a quiet affair, but as such a glorious Crown Prince, the nobles wouldn't hear of it, and a few directly insisted, going as far as requesting an audience with King Vien.

"Your Majesty, the face of the Kingdom is on the line! We must show our prosperity by celebrating one so great as our Crown Prince!" One of the Council Mages put forth, but King Vien shook his head in exasperation.

"You think I don't want to celebrate my own son?! He himself has insisted on a quiet day! What more can be said?!"

"Your Majesty, this is one time he shouldn't get his way! His birthday is a Kingdom affair! Your Majesty, you must insist on a glorious banquet!"

And so it was...

The evening of Taze's birthday arrived with a grand sense of celebration which swept across the entire capital!

Streets were lined with colorful banners, and softly glowing lights were strung against the twilight sky. The air was alive with the sounds of merriment as the royal kitchens offered free food and drink to every citizen.

Rich aromas filled the air, as roasted meats, delicate pastries, and sweet fruits piled high on tables throughout the city.

There was music at every avenue, and laughter echoed throughout the Capital.

Meanwhile, the true splendor of the evening unfolded within the heart of the Palace!

The grand banquet hall, was bathed in warm golden light from hundreds of floating crystal orbs.

Marble pillars lined the vast space, their surfaces swirling with intricate carvings of elven history, and between the columns were velvet drapes, embroidered with shimmering silver threads, framing the large glass windows that revealed the darkening sky and the soft flicker of lights in the city below.

The hall was filled with the most powerful nobles and mages across Luxia and the kingdoms beyond, with Gents and ladies draped in delicate finery which fit their races and stations.

There were silks, velvets, and gossamer fabrics that seemed to float around, swishing as their wearers elegantly moved through the hall, their laughter mingling with the soft strains of a harp that played in the background.

Most female elves wore gowns which glittered with encrusted gems, or stylish embroidery, and the males wore tunics adorned with intricate embroidery.

Celia herself was dressed in a silvery blue ball gown which matched her elegantly styled Silver hair, making her resemble a beautiful ethereal dream, floating through the banquet hall to socialize.

As she moved through the guests, she couldn't resist a smile at Grand Mages Patiel and Pariel in matching midnight blue and gold dress robes, especially since Grand Mage Patiel looked every bit as uncomfortable as one expected him to be at crowded gatherings, and his amiable twin was now steering him away from guests who were being overtly familiar!

Most of the fairy ladies were decked in Arlyle, a sheer wispy fabric which gave off a soft glow whenever they moved, and they were adorned in precious fairy gems which glistened in the warm light. The fairy gents were not too different from the elves, except for the fact that they were largely dressed in light colours of whites and golds.

The Merpeople wore long draping gowns or robes which seemed alive and shimmery- almost as it they were made of water.

Princess Larya's gown was a magnificent ensemble of blue and white, and it had Celia feeling underdressed! Their eyes met, and the two ladies gave a nod of acknowledgement, followed by a smile.